Spotted: GLK Mule in Los Angeles

But, before I even got the e-mail and on my way to work this morning, on the 405 North (by LAX), I saw the covered up vehicle below. When I got closer, I noticed its rectangular exhaust looked similar to the GL... I then realized it was the GLK! In all honesty, I thought it was a Saturn or Mitsu Montero... The car is FUG!

http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews...350/index.html
However, from a merchandising point of view, they have the ML, the GL, the G, and the GLK, along with the E350 4matic Wagon.
BMW has the X3 and the X5 (along with the 5 series X wagon)
Audi has the Q7.
Call me crazy but it appears that Mercedes has a lineup of "SUV" vehicles that essentially are competing with themselves. Wouldn't they prefer to keep things tight - and have production runs in higher quantites of few vs lower quantities of many?
However, from a merchandising point of view, they have the ML, the GL, the G, and the GLK, along with the E350 4matic Wagon.
BMW has the X3 and the X5 (along with the 5 series X wagon)
Audi has the Q7.
Call me crazy but it appears that Mercedes has a lineup of "SUV" vehicles that essentially are competing with themselves. Wouldn't they prefer to keep things tight - and have production runs in higher quantites of few vs lower quantities of many?

ML - X5 - RX
GL - Q7 - LX
GLK - X3 - Q5
G - err, Range Rover?
E350 4M - obviously Audi and BMW's x-drive wagons.
I consider the GL550 and Range Rover HSE / Supercharged to be competitors.
Last edited by Chucky300; Apr 19, 2008 at 11:36 AM.
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This is a list of their production runs...I listed the variant of body style since it would require its own assembly line. (The way I work it - is just like clothing business...If I make a shirt with long sleeves and the same shirt style sleevless, it is it's own "style #" and requires its own cutting, sewing, and finishing)
C Coupe
C Sedan
C Wagon
CLK Coupe
CLK Convertable
CLS
CL
SLK
E
E Wagon
S
G
GL
GLK
ML
R
That is 16 variants! Have I missed any?
This is a list of their production runs...I listed the variant of body style since it would require its own assembly line. (The way I work it - is just like clothing business...If I make a shirt with long sleeves and the same shirt style sleevless, it is it's own "style #" and requires its own cutting, sewing, and finishing)
C Coupe
C Sedan
C Wagon
CLK Coupe
CLK Convertable
CLS
CL
SLK
E
E Wagon
S
G
GL
GLK
ML
R
That is 16 variants! Have I missed any?
SL/SLR
i dunno... if you look at other big car companies, they have multiple lines of cars, as in example ford lincoln mercury. i cant count how many different styles of cars they have for everything
i think its right on to compete with a market like that from just one car company
Last edited by AFhockey31; Apr 19, 2008 at 12:23 PM.
i dunno... if you look at other big car companies, they have multiple lines of cars as in the ford lincoln mercury. i cant count how many different styles of cars they have for everything
i think its right on to compete with a market like that from just one car company
heh
This is a list of their production runs...I listed the variant of body style since it would require its own assembly line. (The way I work it - is just like clothing business...If I make a shirt with long sleeves and the same shirt style sleevless, it is it's own "style #" and requires its own cutting, sewing, and finishing)
C Coupe -cobalt
C Sedan -cobalt sedan
C Wagon- cavalier wagon (when they made them)
CLK Coupe- g6 coupe
CLK Convertable- g6 coupe/vert
CLS-g8
CL- gto
SLK- solstice
E- malibu
E Wagon-
S- caddilac sts
G- yukon
GL- trail blazer
GLK- equinox
ML- arcadia
R- suburban
SL- vette
SLR- zr1
That is 16 variants! Have I missed any?
in no way am i comparing benz to GM, but it took FOUR different car line ups to equal one that mercedes has.
*i know some arent exactly perfect matchups but you get the point
Toyota+Lexus = 24 models (not including hybrid variants)
Honda+Acura = 14 models
This is a list of their production runs...I listed the variant of body style since it would require its own assembly line. (The way I work it - is just like clothing business...If I make a shirt with long sleeves and the same shirt style sleevless, it is it's own "style #" and requires its own cutting, sewing, and finishing)
C Coupe
C Sedan
C Wagon
CLK Coupe
CLK Convertable
CLS
CL
SLK
E
E Wagon
S
G
GL
GLK
ML
R
That is 16 variants! Have I missed any?
A
B
C
CL
CLK
CLS
E
G
GL
GLK
ML
R
S
SL
SLK
SLR
V
If you want to go with the body styles for the classes, then it's:
A
B
C sedan, coupe, wagon
CL
CLK coupe, cabriolet
CLS
E sedan, wagon
G
GL
GLK
ML
R
S
SL
SLK
SLR coupe, roadster
V
This doesn't include their commercial/utility models.
A
B
C
CL
CLK
CLS
E
G
GL
GLK
ML
R
S
SL
SLK
SLR
V
If you want to go with the body styles for the classes, then it's:
A
B
C sedan, coupe, wagon
CL
CLK coupe, cabriolet
CLS
E sedan, wagon
G
GL
GLK
ML
R
S
SL
SLK
SLR coupe, roadster
V
This doesn't include their commercial/utility models.
They have way too many models... 22 models x 4 engine choices each... oh boy.
V6 - 3.0, 3.0 CDI, 3.5
V8 - 4.5, 5.5, 6.2
V12 - 5.5, 6.0 (technically same, but AMG version is 6.0)
This doesn't include various diesel models available in Europe. But I don't care about various engine choices. Give me the biggest for all I care.


I hear it all the time, this ones too big this ones to small, dont they make it in an in between size? So people want diff things and Benz is just giving them what they want.






